Influential Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra landed back home on Monday ahead of a scheduled watershed ruling by the kingdom’s top court which may see him jailed.

Thaksin jetted away last week as his dynasty’s party was ousted from office, fuelling speculation he had absconded from a Supreme Court inquiry probing whether he properly served a prison sentence.

The results of the investigation are due Tuesday, and while Thaksin’s guilt is not its subject analysts say the ruling may nonetheless see him jailed.

But televised images on Thai media showed Thaksin, 76, landing back at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport by private jet on Monday afternoon, and he has pledged to attend the court date in person.

Shinawatra’s clan has for two decades been the key foe of Thailand’s pro-military, p

See Full Page